What is a shotgun?

A shotgun is a smooth bore firearm that usually fires multiple projectiles (shot) from a single cartridge.  Shotguns come in many varieties but the basic three types are over-and-under (pictured left), side-by-side and semi-automatic.  All these guns fire the same types of cartridge but the manner in which they function is slightly different. Over-and-under and side-by-side are the more traditional double barrel shotguns, and the most common among sporting shooters.  The gun is broken and a cartridges are placed in the back, or chamber of each barrel, the gun is then closed and ready to fire where whichever barrel can be selected to fire first.  When both barrels have been fired the gun is broken again and the cartridges removed or ejected and the process can start again.  With a semi-automatic, one cartridge is placed into the breech of the gun and the action is slid forward. The second cartridge is then loaded into a tube underneath the barrel (a third cartridge can be loaded, but this must never be done at a clay shooting ground).  When the gun is fired a small portion of the gas from the cartridge is used to work the action of the gun, and the used cartridge is ejected from the side of the shotgun whilst the new cartridge is loaded into the breech and the action slides forward ready for the next shot.  The advantage of this over the double barrel guns is a reduction in weight and a reduction in recoil.  The trade off is the inability to select a differently *choked barrel.

What is a choke?

The choke of a shotgun is generally the last 2-4 inches where the barrel is constricted and precision shaped to affect the pattern thrown by the shot (i.e. How far the shot spreads).  The basic chokes are:

• Super Full
• Full
• 3/4
• 1/2
• 1/4
• Improved Cylinder
• True Cylinder

A super full choke will throw a very tight, concentrated pattern where as a true cylinder a very large sparse pattern.  Different chokes are used for shooting different disciplines.

So why are they called cartridges and not bullets?

The distinctive different between a shotgun and other firearms is that a shotgun fires shot NOT bullets.      The shot is normally made of lead and the number of lead shot balls varies from about 50 - 600 depending on the cartridge type.  The construction of the cartridge is shown on the right, the primer and propellant works in exactly the same fashion as a bullet.  The expanding gas pushes the wad which is like a cup containing all the shot.  As the wad reaches the end of the barrel is opens up and slows rapidly leaving the shot to travel and perform it job.

Why are there so many types, I'm confused?

There are a lot of cartridge types, but its actually very simple. For sporting clays we use only up to 28grams and from a no.7 to a no.9 shot.  Lets take a 24gram no.8.  This means the total shot payload weights 24grams and the shot size is no.8 (2.29mm per ball). The lower the number the larger the shot.

More weight per ball = More retained energy

Anything lower than a no.7 is used for game shooting, the lower the number the larger the game.

We stock a range of shotguns from all the big names in the business including Berretta, Browning, Fabarm, Miroku and Bettinsoli.

Don't forget to look at our Pre-Owned Section for great value over & unders, classic side-by-sides, semi-auto's and pump action.  We buy in used shotguns on a regular basis so check for our latest selection.

We also carry a wide range of Express ammunition in a variety of weight, shot size and bore.  Clay load and game load.  Due to the fluctuating price of lead call us to check on our latest prices.

Please remember to bring your shotgun certificate when purchasing a Shotgun or Ammunition.

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